San Francisco This Week: Reigning Queens and Fall Antiques

Here are five of the coolest things to do in and around San Francisco this week

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San Francisco’s progressive leanings and generous spirit are on display this weekend. The GLBT Museum opens a fantastic show of photos about of the 1970’s drag scene, a local ice cream spot inaugurates a new shop with a fundraiser for their favorite charity, and just down south in Mountain View, Neil Young hosts a benefit concert. If you’re an antiques buff, you can spend most of the week wandering one of the biggest antique shows around—it’s so big it might just take you a few days to get through it. Just make sure to find your way out in time for Wanda Sykes’ standup at the Masonic.

October 22-25 | AntiquesThe San Francisco Fall Antiques ShowThe San Francisco Fall Antiques Show (now in its 34th year) is a major highlight of any West Coast antiques enthusiast’s annual calendar. The show is a sprawling undertaking that is both a grand exhibit and wondrous shopping opportunity for fans and collectors. Expect to find a wide range of fine art, books, carpets, photography, furniture and jewelry. The event is so big (and can be so intimidating to newcomers) that tours are offered to orient you to the possibilities.Hours vary | Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco | From $15 | website

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October 23 through February | ArtReigning Queens: The Lost Photos of Roz JosephThe four-year-old GLBT History Museum is an extension of the GLBT Historical Society, which has researched and archived the history of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people for three decades. In this new exhibit, which will be feted with an opening party on October 23, San Francisco photographer Roz Joseph’s colorful Kodak images bring to life the drag and costume balls of the mid-1970s. Joseph captures the vibrancy, fun and fearlessness of the era.7-9 p.m. | 4127 18th Street, San Francisco | Suggested donation $10 | website

October 23 | ComedyWanda SykesThough she has worked extensively in television and film, comedian Wanda Sykes really comes alive on a stage. In her live shows she shares a snapshot of her real life (her wife, her kids) and her humorous and insightful takes on the weird and dark twists and turns that society can take. And while she plots out some of the points she wants to cover during her standup shows, Sykes also leaves lots of room for unexpected detours that are uniquely appropriate to each venue and audience.8 p.m.| The Masonic, 1111 California Street, San Francisco | (415) 776-7457 | From $45 | website

AFAR Local is published every Wednesday, so check back for insider updates on restaurant openings, festivals, exhibitions, shows, weekend escapes, and more. Planning a trip? The AFAR guide to San Francisco has you covered.

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October 23 | Restaurant openingTwirl & DipTwirl & Dip, which has had a food truck slinging ice cream treats in Golden Gate Park for nearly five years, has opened its first brick and mortar location in Potrero Hill. The courtyard spot plays host to a grand opening party on October 23 with free mini dipped cones and soft serve samples. You’ll want to buy one of their other sumptuous offerings as well; you can’t go wrong with a chocolate dipped fruit pop, butterscotch ice cream soda, or honeycomb candy-studded sundae. The event will also be a fundraiser for the Homeless Prenatal Program, a local family resource center.4-6 p.m. | 1717 17th Street, San Francisco | website

Weekend escapeBridge School BenefitNeil Young founded the annual Bridge School Benefit concert in 1986 in order to help power the Hillsborough school’s mission to educate and physically impaired children through the use of technology. The event always brings together several generations and styles on one stage and draws a similarly eclectic audience. The lineup for year’s celebration (which is the same for each of the two days) includes Young, the Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, Ryan Adams, Spoon, Gary Clark Jr., Nils Lofgren, and some surprise guests.5 p.m. October 24 and 2 p.m. October 25 | Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View | (415) 967-3000 | From $35 | website